Chapter Five: Sweet Dreams
"Squirrelflight?" I rush over to the small girl's side, pulling her into my arms. "Squirrelflight!"
The young girl's skin is ice-cold and slightly blue. Quickly, I dial Jayfeather's phone and scream at him to hurry to the apartment. My arms as I pick up Squirrelflight and place her on her bed.
I wander into the kitchen to look for an explanation. Next, I examine the bathroom. I find a completely empty bottle of pills, and I drop to the floor.
She attempted suicide. My precious daughter tried to kill herself. But why?
After what seems like moons, Jayfeather barges into the apartment.
"Firestar! What's going on?" Jayfeather glances at Squirrelflight's unmoving body. I throw the empty pill bottle at him, shock pulsing through my veins. Jayfeather looks at the medicine bottle, then at Squirrelflight and again at the bottle. His face goes hard, and he immediately runs to his aunt's side.
Anger flares through me. I am angry. I am angry at myself for not protecting her, I am angry at Brambleclaw for ever leaving her side, I am angry at Lionblaze and Jayfeather for shunning her, I am angry at Hollyleaf for revealing the secret.
Someone must have called Sandstorm and Leafpool because my mate and daughter are at my side. They could be yelling at me, and I wouldn't hear them. All I can think is your fault, she's going to die. I also must have blacked out because I am in a strange forest surrounded by a sweet, familiar scent.
"Spottedleaf?" The beautiful young medicine aid steps out from the trees. Stars seem to be highlighted across her face and all throughout her hair. Her red highlight intwine with the brown, giving her hair a tortoiseshell effect. The deceased girl smiles, her teeth so white they look like they are glowing.
"She's going to be okay. We have greater plans for, dear Firestar."
"Really?"
"Of course, my love. Do you really think I'd let anything happen to someone you love so dearly?"
My eyes flicker downward, my head inclines toward the floor. I suddenly snap upward, propelling from my seat. I slam my fist into a tree, and I scream my frustration and worry, knowing that Spottedleaf doesn't mind. In fact, she sits patiently and watches me calmly as I curse and shout.
"I don't understand!" I yell at Spottedleaf, "Why would you let this happen?"
"I don't know the reason for that, young one. I was only sent to give you the good news, that your daughter will survive this."
"Is it because of Brambleclaw because if it is, I'm going to need a new-"
"It's because of him and many other things. Things that won't be fixed through violence. Let her work her problems out for herself."
"But-"
"No 'buts'" Spottedleaf scolds lightly, rubbing my arm with a gentle hand. "Now, go back to your family."
"Spottedleaf, goodby…" Before I can finish my sentence, Spottedleaf disappears along with the misty forest that enclosed us.
"Firestar! Firestar?"
I open my eyes to see my grandson leaning over me, his blind blue eyes clouded with worry and irritation.
"What happened?"
"You passed out, Dad." Leafpool responds dully from beside Squirreflight's body.
"Is she…?" I ask Jayfeather, already knowing the answer.
"Okay? Yes, she's fine. She'll be asleep for a while, but she'll be fine once the medicine wears off. I just needed to pump her stomach."
"Thank you," Sandstorm wraps her arms around Jayfeather's slim, lean body. Tears fall from my eyes, when Sandstorm turns back to me, her eyes are glassy and watery.
Sandstorm has never been one to cry.
"She'll be okay," the woman I love reassures me. Sandstorm grins and buries her neck into my chest.
"She'll be okay," I repeat. Thank you, Spottedleaf.
Sorry, sorry, sorry for the super short chapter! I have horrible writer's block. Plus, I am super busy! I have decided to start an organization reaching out to teens across the world struggling to realize their inner beauty. Here's the link:
.com
When you go to the link, could you please join the site? Clarissa (my partner) and I would be the only ones to see!
Love and hugs,
~Honeyleaf